Laub and Robb exceeded expectations at Lehigh

The freshmen linebackers from the Lehigh Valley are looking forward to three more collegiate seasons.

November 19, 2012|Keith Groller

Sometimes you hear so much hype about something that when it happens it can't possibly live up to expectations.

Lehigh freshmen linebackers Matt Laub and Noah Robb had heard plenty about the Lehigh-Lafayette game before Saturday.

"Coach [Andy] Coen and everybody kept saying that there's nothing like this game," Laub said. "It was hard to visualize what it was going to be like. But now after playing in it all I can say is it was unreal. Just awesome. It absolutely lived up to its billing and I can't wait to play in three more of them."

Those were pretty much the same sentiments of Robb, who said: "It was really crazy. Everybody said there's nothing like it. I didn't believe it, but it surpassed the hype."

Both Lehigh Valley products — Laub is a Parkland grad and Robb is a Central Catholic product — exceeded expectations themselves in the 2012 season that came to an abrupt end when the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision didn't give the 10-1 Mountain Hawks a postseason berth.

Instead of taking a long bus ride or a flight to a Lehigh playoff game this weekend, Laub and Robb plan to catch up with their alma maters and old friends by attending PIAA playoff games.

Laub's former Parkland teammates will play at Delaware Valley and Robb's Vikings will travel to Valley View High School in Archbald, Lackawanna County, to take on Abington Heights in round-of-16 state playoff games.

However, both guys expect to be back in the playoffs themselves in the next couple of years.

"I definitely think we're going to be able to compete again in the Patriot League and hopefully continue the run we've been making," Robb said. "We've got some big shoes to fill on both offense and defense, but we've got talented returning players with experience coming back."

Robb and Lobb are hopeful of competing for starting spots themselves, but may to have to switch positions to get that opportunity.

Laub entered the Lafayette game behind Nigel Muhammad on the depth chart at strongside outside linebacker.

Muhammad, who will be a senior next season, was third on the team in tackles with 76 and had 101/2 tackles for loss, including 51/2 sacks.

Robb was listed behind both sophomore Isaiah Campbell and junior John Mahoney at weakside outside linebacker.

"I have to get a little bigger, a little faster and understand the game a little more," Robb said. "I might pick the brain of some of the upperclassmen about how to attack the offseason and get better in every way possible. We've got some very good players at the same position."

But make no mistake, Laub and Robb made an impression on the coaching staff and are considered to have bright futures.

"They both had a role in that game on Saturday," said Coen, who was busy getting started on the recruiting trail Monday. "Matt and Noah got on the field in the Lehigh-Lafayette game as freshmen and they both did a nice job. There's no question they have bright futures. I'm very excited for both of them,"

Laub played in all 11 games and was the starting long snapper on special teams for several contests including the dramatic win at Liberty. Defensively, he made 15 tackles, including one sack.

Robb broke three bones in his lower thumb during training camp and missed the first half of the season.

He worked his way back into action, first getting time on special teams and then getting some defensive snaps. He totaled seven tackles in five games and was credited with one quarterback hurry.

"As soon as I got the injury, I was kind of depressed because I was doing really well in camp and I wasn't sure what my situation would be like the rest of the year," Robb said. "I kept working hard in practice and it really paid off because I think the coaches noticed and it got me an opportunity."

Laub said the offseason is going to be big.

"We've just got to put the work in, even at 5 a.m.," he said. "Getting some experience this year really benefited me because now I know the speed of the game. It's real different from high school. You have to be a lot stronger and faster and mentally better. "

Laub said he was "heartbroken" when he didn't see the team's name appear on a bracket during Sunday's FCS selection show.

"The seniors deserved it; the coaches and everybody deserved it," Laub said. "It was devastating, but you have to move forward."

With no game to play, Laub said he is looking forward to seeing his family this weekend, especially his brother, John, a quarterback at Richmond.

"They didn't get in the playoffs either, which really stinks," Laub said. "But Jarel Elder and Zach Gurinowich are good friends of mine on the Parkland team, and I hope to see them."

Ditto for Robb and Central Catholic.

"I'm really close to a lot of those guys like Colin McDermott, Sean O'Donnell and Andrew Englebert," Robb said. "I don't think a lot of people believed in them at the start of the season, but they've proved them wrong and that's nice to see."